Improvement in paper-box machines



5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. I. SIMMONS. Paper-Box Machine.

No. 222,844. Patented Dec. 23,1879.

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NPETERS. FHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON D O.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. I. SIMMONS. Paper-Box Machine.

No. 222,844. Patented Dec. 23,1879.

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4 AMMG J/W N- PETERS. FHOTO-UTHOGRPHER, WASHINGTON D. C-

5 Sheets-Sheet3.

' A. I. SIMMONS. Paper-Box Machine.

No. 222,844. Patentd Dec 23, 1879..-

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\PETERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON D C '5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

A. I. SIMMONS. Paper-Box Machine.

No. 222,844. Patented Dec. 23, 1879.

Ina/anion minasaas'.

MFETERS, FHOTO-LIIHOGRAFHEK, WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

ADOLPHUS I. sIMMoNs, OF UTIoA, NEW YORK, AssIeNoE To JAMEs EAToN AND J.EMoEY EAToN, or sAME PLAo ONE-THIRD T0 EAoE.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAPER-BOX MACHINES- Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 222,844, dated December 23, 1879; application filed May 8,1879.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, A. I. SIMMONS, of Utica, State of New York, haveinvented a Machine for Making Paper Boxes, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to facilitate the manufacture of cheappaper boxes, materially increasing the number which may be made in anygiven time, and thereby reducing the cost, and it is more particularlydesigned for the manufacture of the common match-box, though notrestricted thereto.

Its principal features are a frame to which all the parts are attached,bearing a circular disk, to which a continuous rotary motion is impartedby suitable mechanism, and in which are set rigidly-fixed forms, onwhich the boxes are made, suitable rollers for feeding andpasting thepaper, and in which rollers knives are set for slitting the paper so asto fold more readily, shears for cutting off the paper at the propertime, swinging, rotary, and fixed folders to fold the paper around theforms and press the folds firmly, and strippers'to remove the boxes fromthe forms when completed.

It will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, ofwhich Figure 1 is a plan; Fig. 2, afront side elevation; Fig. 3, a backside elevation, and Fig. 4 a front end elevation. Fig. 5 is a sectionthrough the feeding and pasting mechanism on the line W, Fig. 1; Fig. 6,a view of the paper as prepared for folding; Figs. 7, 8, 9,10,11, and17,

detached views of the different parts of the folding and cuttingmechanism; and Figs. 12, 13,14, 15, and 16, views of the box atdifferent periods in its construction, all drawn to a larger scale.

Like letters refer to like parts in allthe figures.

A is the frame or body of the machine, on which is mounted, in suitablebearin gs, the disk B, on the periphery of which two sets of gearteethare cut, as shown. To this disk B a continuous unvarying rotary motion,in the direction indicated by the arrows, is imparted by the pinion (land pulley D, on the shaft of which is set a light fly-wheel to securesteadiness of motion. In this disk B are rigidly fixed any convenientnumber of forms, a, (eight being used in this case,) of the size andshape required.

The paste-roller is made of the form re-. .quired to deposit theadhesive material on such parts of the lower feed-roller as desired, andis deeply scored on its periphery in diagonal lines, as shown at F F,Fig. 2, to better enable it to take up the glue or paste. The parts ofthe lower feed-roller with which it comes in contact are scored in likemanner to receive the paste or glue from the paste-roller.

The quantity of material carried up by the paste-roller is regulated bythe scrapers g, Figs. 2, 4, and 5, which are so adjusted by the r screwsg as to remove as much of it as may be desired. I

The paste-roller takes up the paste or glue and deposits it on the lowerfeedroller, which in turn transmits it to the under side of the paper asit is fed into themachine. The shaded portions of Fig. 6 show where thepaste is deposited, and the folds are made along the dotted lines. Thefeed and paste rollers are driven by the train of gears shown at H,Tigs. 1,2, and 4.

I, Figs. 1, 4, and 5, is a table over which the paper passes, and i is aroller, which rests upon the paper and, by its weight and the frictionit causes, keeps the paper straight and smooth. The guides J areadjustable, and are grooved beneath, as shown at 9', Figs.2 and 5, toallow the edges of the paper to run under them.

It, Figs. 5 and 7, is a guide to conduct the paper from the feed-rollersthrough the opening is to the shears K, which cut it off at the propertime.

The upper blade, I, of the shears K is fixed to the folder-stand L, andthe lower blade, l, to the jaw K of the shears. The shear-jawK ispivoted at P, and is operated by the cam M I on the shaft m, Figs. 1, 3,4, and 7, and the two-armed rock-shaft M Mand connectinglink M. Theouter arm of the rock-shaft has a roller running on the cam, to lessenthe wear and friction.

The shearjaw K is depressed, after being raised by the action of thecam, by the spring and link N, Figs. 2 and 7. The bearing of theshear-blades l l against each other is adjusted by the screw and nut onpivot P, Figs. 5 and 7, and by the gib n and set-screws on the oppositeside, as shown by the dotted lines at, Fig. 7, and at a, Figs. 1 and 2.

As the feed of the paper is continuous,

' though varying in speed at'different parts of the revolution-of thefeed-rollers, and as the shears commence cutting at one edge of thepaper, it is necessary that the paper should be checked While the cut ismade, or a diago nal cut would result. This is effected by thepaper-check 0, Figs. 5 and 7. A recess is made in the back or inner sideof the shear-jaw K, to receiveit, so thatit turns on the same pivot withthe jaw K, and it is forced upward by a leafspring under it, securedatits outerend to the jaw K, and represented by the heavy dotted line at0 on the lower blade I. Its upward motion relative to the jaw K isregulated by the screw P, which passes through a lug on the jaw. As thejaw K is raised by the action of the cam M the paper-check strikes thepaper before the cut commences, and holds it firmly against the stock19, Fig. 5, to which the upper blade, Z, is fixed while the'cut is beingmade; and as it continues to hold the paper fast until the lower blade,Z, has been again drawn entirely below the paper it also prevents theend of the paper being turned downward by the retrograde motion of theblade l. As the motion of the paper is at this time very slow it simplydoubles a little between the feedrollers and paper-check, andstraightens again when the paper-check is drawn .down by the aw.

The paper-check may be made to slide, and its operation madeindependent'of the jaw, if desired.

Q, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8, are swinging folders, one to each form,which are pivoted to the disk B at their inner ends by a shaft turningin suitable bearings set in the disk, and which is clearly shown in Fig.8, a part of which is a section of the disk B with the axis B, uponwhich it revolves, and also in Fig. 7, which is a back side view of theseveral parts shown, and contains a small portion of the disk B, therest being cut away to show the other parts. The outer ends of theseswinging folders are so constructed as to inclose one side and part'ofboth edges of the forms 0, and of the same length along the forms as thedepth of the boxes to be made, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and at R,Fig.7, where they are shown closed down upon the forms, and at Q Q in thelower part of Figs. 7 and S, where they are shown swung away from theforms to the full extent, Fig. 7 giving an end view of the folder Q anda view of the front or forward side of the forms e These folders arecaused to swing to and from the forms by a crank, S, Figs. 3, 7, and 8,on the back or inner end of the pivot or shaft by which they areattached to the diskB, and on the crank-pins are frictionrollers a",which run in the channel tin the fixed cam T, Fig. 3, and the curvaturesof this channel govern the motions of the folders Q, which are therebyclosed down upon the paper, and assist in folding it around the forms,and again swing away from the forms to discharge the boxes and receivepaper for another.

U U, Figs. 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, are rotary folders, which further fold thepaper around the forms, as shown in Figs. 13, 14, and 15. Figs.

7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 give enlarged views of their.

different parts in the proper position to do the work assigned them,Fig. 8 being a side view and section of Fig. 7, as seen from the left ofFig. 7. These rotary folders revolve upon studs 2; firmly fixed in thefolder-stand L by nuts, as shown. They are geared together by thespur-gears X X. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, on the outer end of thefolders, or next the shoulders of-the studs '0, on which they run.

The fixed forms 6, in their revolutions with the disk B, successivelypass between the folders U U, as shown at c, Fig. 7, and the folders arecaused to make one complete revolution with the passage of each folderby the spur-pinion y fixed on the inner end of folder U, engaging withthe gear z on the face of disk B.

Adjoining the spur-gears 0a a," will be seen in Figs. 7,8,9, 10, and 11,enlarged collars 1, forming part of the body of the folders U U, andtowhich the spur-wheels are secured. To these collars are attached certainthin blades 2 3 3. (Shown most clearly in Fig. 9.) In Fig. 8 the edge ofthe blade 2 is shown, and 3 3 are in the same line of rotation.

These blades, in their revolutions, pass close to the end of the form 6,leaving only sufficient room for the folds of paper. The blade 2 passesover almost the entire end of the forms, as shown by the dotted lines at2 2, Fig. 11, and the blades 3 3 pass from the edges of the forms as farover their ends and toward the center as their projection beyond thecollars 1 will allow. 1

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 9, they have just reached theform 0, and in Fig. 7 the dotted lines show them to have partly passedover the endof the form 6. In so passing over the ends of the forms theyturn the paper which projects from the edges of the forms over on theend to assist in forming the bottom of the box, as shown at 1), Figs. 13and 14.

At 4 4, Fig. 10, are shown in solid black an end view of two swingingblades, equal in length to the depth of the desired box, parallel withforms 6 and with the axis of the folders U U, and pivotedat 5 5 on smallshafts which also run through the collars 1 1, and have upon their ends,and Within recesses in the spurgears 09 as, short cranks, and on thecrankpins small friction-rollers, as shown in Fig. 7

at 6 6, and more clearly in Fig. 10, where all the other parts areremoved.

In Fig. 7 a portion of the spur-gear m is cut away to show the roller,and the cranks are shown by the dotted lines.

These blades 4 4:, as the forms 0 go between the folders U U, pass closeto the under surfaces of the forms from their edges toward the center,and fold and lap the paper, as shown at b, Figs. 13 and 14. Thefolder-collars 1 1 are of such size that their periphery moves with thesame velocity as the forms 0, and of course all parts projecting beyondthem will move faster than the forms. It is therefore apparent that, asthe forms 0 pass between the folders which move with them, the blades 44 must be allowed to fall back to adjust themselves to the differentrelative positions of the parts. This is accomplished by the cranks andfrictionrollers 6 6, which, as they revolve with the folders U U, runaround andrest upon the collars 7 of the folder-studs '0. These collarsare formed into cams of the form needed to give the desired motion tothe blades, and as shown in Fig. 10 by the dotted lines 7 7, thusallowing the blades to fall back as they pass under the forms 0,andbringing them up again as they approach the corners of the next formin their successive revolutions.

8 is apresserfor pressing and rubbing down the lap of the paper I), Fig.14. It ispivoted at 10, and has pivoted at the end of its long arm thepresser-plate 8, which is as long as the depth of the box, and wideenough to cover the lap b of the paper. Under the end of the short armof the presser 8 is placed a spring, 9, resting on a ledge projectingfrom the folderbody, and which holds the long arm of 8 firmly againstthe body of the folder U, as in Figs. 7 and 11.

21 is a short chain attached to the back of the presser-plate 8, and toa stud projecting from the collar 1, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, andwhich keeps the presser-plate faced in the right direct-ion.

The presser-plate 8, projecting beyond the collar 1., moves faster thanthe forms, and when both have arrived at the position shown in Fig. 11the presser-plate is brought in contact with the paper on the lower faceof the form 6, and as the movement of both continues the plate is, bythe sprin 9, firmly pressed against the form or paper, and atthe sametime is drawn off the form toward the folder U.

The wheel 1.1 turns on a stud fixed in the folder-stand L, and a thirdarm, Z, Fig. 3, of the presser 8, passes under it in the course of itsrevolution, and it is thereby eased down to its seat or normal positionwithout the violent concussion which would otherwise result when thepresser-plate is drawn off the forms 0. This third arm is nearlyparallel with the short arm of the presser, as shown in Figs. 7 and '11,and may be so formed as to lift the presser plate from the forms at anydesired point.

the strippers 13, Figs. 1 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, and one is shown detachedand in perspective in Fig. 17. They surround the forms 0, and havelongsquare shanks, which are received in longitudinal channels in the sidesof the forms upon which the folders Q close down, as shown in Fig. 8.

The shank of the strippers extends beyond the inner ends of the forms,and within the flange of the disk B, as shown in Fig.8. They are thrustout to strip or push off the boxes in the following manner: Thecranks S,which operate the swinging folders Q are extended opposite theircrank-pins, and have on their inner faces a segment of a bevel-gear, asshown in section in Fig. 8 at S, and by the dotted lines S in Fig. 7.The teeth of this gear engage the small bevel-pinion, a, Figs. 7

and 8, which is fixed on a short shaft running through the stand 14, andhaving on its outer end a small spur-pinion, 15, Figs. 3, 7, and 8.

The teeth of this pinion engage in the teeth on the shank of thestripper, Fig. 17, and as the swinging folders Q, are closed downuponthe forms by lhe action of the cam T upon the cranks S, thestrippers are retracted close to the ba=e of the forms 0, as in Fig. land the upper part of Fig. 4; but when the folders are thrown away fromthe forms, as in Fig. 8 and in the lower part of Fig. 7 at Q, thestripper is thrust outward to the end of the form, as in Fig. 8, andbeneath the frame A in Fig. 4,

thus pushing the box entirely 01f the form.

Shallow channels are also made in the face of the forms 0, as shown atB, Fig. 7, and at 16, Fig. 8, to admit air into the box as it is beingpushed olf the form.

The stripper may be operated independent of the folder Q, .if desired.

The varying motion of the feed-rollers, before alluded to, is obtainedin the following manner: The feed-rollers are driven by the train ofgears H, a shaft running in the long box m", the shaft m, on which isthe spur-pinion 17, and the intermediate spur-wheel 18,

which engages with both the pinion l7 and the teeth out on the peripheryof the disk B. The pinion 17 runs loose on the shaft m, and is made tooperate it through the clutch 19, which slides on a spline on the shaftand has one tooth which engages in a corresponding recess in the side ofpinion 17. It is operated by the handle 20, and is used to stop the feedand paste works, when desired. 1 i

()n the inner ends of the shafts m m are the disks (1 (1, firmly fixedto their respective. shafts. Across the face of the disk at a square 1channel is out of suitable dimensions, as shown at h, Figs. 1 and 2. Inthe disk d a crankpin is set, and on the pin a square box is put closelyfitted to the channel h in the disk d.

By reference to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the shaft m is notconcentric with the shaft m, but is so much lower that the lower edgesof the disks d and d are of the same height, notwithstanding theirdifference in size. This is also shown clearly in Fig. 7, where theshaft on is shown in section and the shaft m by the small dotted circleon the cam M. The larger dotted circle on the same cam shows the travelof the crank-pin in disk d.

It will be seen that in consequence of this difference in the height ofthe two shafts the crank-pin at the highest point in its revolutionpasses close above the center of the shaft m and disk d, and thereforemoves very slowly at that point; but as its revolution continues itgradually recedes from the center until, arriving at the lowest point inits travel, it is near the periphery of disk (I, and of course partakesof its swift motion. As it again approaches the center of shaft at itsmotion as gradually decreases until it arrives near the center, asbefore. The square box on the crankpin of course slides back and forthin thechannel h as the relative position of the parts varies. Thisvarying speed of the shaft m is transmitted to the feed and pasterollers by the train of gears H, and the paper is cut by the shears Kwhen the motion of the feed-rollers is slowest.

It will be seen that the feed-motion produced by this arrangement is notintermittent, as it at no time ceases entirely, but varies regularlyfrom its slowest to its most rapid speed, and vice versa. I

The operation of the machine is as follows: The paper, being cut to theproper width and made into rolls, is placed upon a suitable sup port infront of table I, and the end passed under the roller 13 and over thetable I, with its edges in the grooves under the guides J, and isinserted between the feed-rollers E E, by which it is fed forward overthe guide 70, through the opening It in the folder-stand L, and betweenthe shear-blades l l,-Fig. 7, the paper-check 0 being beneath it. In itspassage through the feeding mechanism it is slitted for folding, and theadhesive material applied to its under surface, as shown in Fig. 6.

As the paper runs in beyond the shears one of the forms 0 is by therevolution of the disk B brought up under it, and at the same time aswinging folder, Q, closes down upon it from above, and grasps itbetween the projecting edges of the folder and the form; and at the sameinstant the paper is severed by the shears, leaving that portiondesigned for the bottom of the box projecting beyond the end of theform. The folder then closes down tight upon the form, as at B, Fig. 7,and folds the paper down over both its edges, thus formin g three sidesof the box, as in Fig. 12.

The form, with the paper and folder upon it, I

moves upward and passes between the rotary folders U U, as in Fig. 9,where the blades 3 3 The form, continuing to move upward, arrives at theposition shown at e e, Figs. 7 and 10, where the blades 4 4 pass closebeneath it and fold the paper in from the two edges upon the lower faceof the form, lapping one over the other, as shown at b, Fig. 14.

Arriving at the position shown in Fig. 11, the presser 8 8 presses andrubs the lastnamed lap of the paper firmly together, and as the wholemoves onward the long blade 2 passes over the end of theform and foldsthe paper up from below upon the end, as shown in Fig. 15. The form,still moving upward, passes by the fixed folder 12, which folds theremaining projecting part of the paper down upon the end, and presses itfirmly, and completes the box, as shown in Fig. 16.

The box, with the swinging folder Q, remains upon the form until thedisk B has completed about a half revolution, when, by the action of thecam T, the folder Q is gradually swung away from the form, as at Q, Fig.7, which thrusts the stripper 13 forward until, at the lowest point inthe revolution of the form,'the. box is pushed entirely off and fallsbeneath the machine.

The folder Q and stripper 13 remain in the last-described position untilthe form again arrives at the paper as fed through the shears, when thesame operation is repeated. The operation is the same with all theforms, and a box is made on each form as it passes, thus making eightboxes at each revolution of the disk B. 7

It should be observed that the size of the feed-rollers is such that ahalf-revolution feeds in paper enough for a box, and therefore two setsof radial slitting-knives are required, as shown; but this will, ofcourse, be made as may be required.

The device of eccentrically-placed shafts to secure a regular varyingmotion is not new, but has long been used for a variety of purposes, asin iron-planers, and in the Empire sewing-machine. The device has alsobeen used in combination witha mutilated gear, to produce anintermittent varying motion.

The fixed folder 12, although novel in its arrangement, cannot beclaimed as new, substantially the same thing having been before used.Neither are the forms 0, rigidly fixed in a revolving disk, new, but sofar as I know they have heretofore had an intermittent motion, being atrest while the boxes were formed upon them, and not having a continuousunvarying motion, as in this case.

The paste or glue roller F, which takes up the paste or glue from thereservoir G, and deposits it upon a second roller, which in turntransmits to the paper, and also the springscraper g, for removing anexcess of paste or glue, were used in a machine designed by myself someyears since, and for which no patent was asked; and I do not thereforeclaim them. But in that case the second roller was exclusively apaste-roller, having nothing to do with feeding or slitting; and Ibelieve that the construction and combination of the feed-rollers E Eand paste-roller F, as described, whereby the three operations offeeding, slitting, and pasting or gluing the paper are performed by oneand the same set of rollers, is new.

I therefore claim-- 1. In a paper-box machine, a revolving disk providedwith forms rigidly fixed therein, and having a continuous unvaryingmotion, in combination with suitable mechanism for feeding, pasting,cutting, and folding the paper on such forms while in motion,substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. The scored paste-roller F and feed-rollers E E, having the series ofradial knives, as shown, all constructed and combined substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose specified.

3. In a paper-box machine, the paper-check consisting of the straightbar 0 pivoted at the shear-joint, whereby it is made to vibrateindependently on the same axis as the shearblades, in combination withthe shear-jaws K K and spring 0, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

. 4:. The eccentrically-placed shafts m and m, having the disks d d andcrank-pin box sliding in the channel h, the gears H, and rollers F E E,in combination with the shears and their operative mechanism,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The cam M, rock-shaft M, link M, and shears, consisting of themovable jaw K and stationary jaw K pivoted together, in combi nationwith the feeding and folding mechanism, of a paper-box machine and thepapercheck 0, all arranged substantially as described, and for thepurpose specified.

6. The double-cranked folder Q, journaled in the revolving disk B, incombination with the continuous stationary cam t, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

7. The rotary folders UU, having the blades 2 3 3 4: 4., in combinationwith their drivinggear y a: and the revolving disk B, having the forms0, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. The combination of the cranks and friction-rollers 6 6', with thecams 7 and folderblades 4 4:,substantially as shown, and for 1 thepurpose set forth.

9. The combination of the presser 8, consisting of the curved arm,presser-plate 8, and spring 9, with the rotary folders U U and form 6,substantially as described, and for the purpose specified. l

10. The combination and arrangement of the cam T, toothed segment of thefoldercrank S, shaft 14, with its pinions a and 15, stripper 13, form 0,and revolving disk B, substantially as described, and for the purposestated.

11. The disk B, having the forms 0, the shafts m m, rollers F E E, andtheir connecting-gears, the shears K K, andtheir operative mechanism,the rotary folders U U, and their gears y, the folder Q, cam T, andstripper 13, all constructed and combined substantially as described,and for the purpose set forth.

' A. I. SIMMONS. Witnesses:

T. W.-SEWA RD, W. P. CARPENTER.

